A NEW rainbow pelican crossing made up of colours of the Gay Pride flag has been unveiled in Coventry city centre – a week later than planned.
The crossing at Bull Yard has been installed by Coventry City Council as “a powerful symbol for inclusivity” in solidarity with the LGBT+ community. It was postponed by a week due to high winds and heavy rain.
Previously, rainbow artwork has been used on the stairs in Hertford Street and a Pride mural was painted on the tarmac after the former Nationwide building was demolished.
Last year the first permanent pride crossing in the UK was launched outside London’s Brockwell Park in Herne Hill, following in the footsteps of other major cities including Vancouver, Sydney and Paris.
Ahead of the opening, Coun Patricia Hetherton, cabinet member for city services, said: “The rainbow road crossing is a powerful symbol for inclusivity. Coventry is such a diverse city and the crossing is just another celebration of that fact.”
“Having the crossing right outside The Yard is a perfect location. It gives a warm welcome to those arriving from the station and we’re incredibly proud to be able to get this installed and to remind people that hatred and bigotry have no place in our city.”
Coun David Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities, said: “I’m so pleased we can once again show our support to the LGBTQ+ community with the rainbow crossing. It’s something that local people, visitors and shoppers can enjoy and shows our commitment to inclusivity as a city.”
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